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All players, supporters & officials participating at any event under the jurisdiction or auspices of the WEST COAST CRICKET ORGANIZATION (Cricket BC) or its affiliates, whether the event is at a field of play or away from it, are bound by and required to comply with all the provisions of this CRICKET BC Code of Conduct (Rev 2017) and the Spirit of Cricket as set out in the current Laws of Cricket.

No person bound by this Code of Conduct shall engage in disorderly conduct or improper behaviour. Disorderly conduct or improper behaviour includes, but is not restricted to, a person as follows:

1. Assaulting, attempting to assault, or abusing, either verbally or physically, an umpire, player or spectator.

2. Disputing, as distinct from questioning, an umpire’s decision, or reacting in an obviously provocative manner towards an umpire.

3. Using crude or abusive language, hand signals or other gestures.

4. Engaging in any form of conduct or behaviour detrimental to the spirit of the game or likely to bring the game into disrepute.

5. Refusing to supply a person’s name when required by a captain or official who is lodging a report.

6. The manager and captain of a team shall ensure that the players on the complete squad (including the persons acting as 12th, 13th, 14th or 15th man) comply with the CRICKET BC Code of Conduct. The captain of a team is in breach of the Code of Conduct if a player in his nominated team engages in continuing disorderly conduct or improper behavior on the field of play.

Vilification Code: Gender, Race, Religion

No person who is participating in a match under the jurisdiction or auspices of Cricket BC or its affiliates shall engage in any conduct, act towards or speak to or of any other person in a manner which offends insults, humiliates or vilifies such person on the basis of gender, race, religion, colour, descent or ethnic origin.

The manager and captain of a team shall ensure that the players on the complete squad (including the persons acting as 12th, 13th, 14th or 15th man) comply with the CRICKET BC Vilification Code.

CRICKET BC Expectation of Participants

The CRICKET BC Management Committee has set down these guidelines for all players, spectators, and officials representing CRICKET BC at any event, as in the above preamble.

Umpiring Decisions:

The umpire’s decision is final and should be accepted immediately, whether batting or fielding. A bowler or Captain is entitled to ask the umpire why he turned down an appeal, but should accept his explanation, if one is given, and immediately play on. The use of offensive language, generally in the form of disparaging and abusive remarks to an umpire, is not acceptable.

Walking:

A batsman is expected to walk if he is in no doubt that he has been dismissed fairly.

Upon being dismissed:

The actions of the dismissed batsmen – in failing to leave the crease promptly on being given out and then banging his bat on the ground, or throwing the bat on returning to the boundary or pavilion, including the use of audible foul language - is unacceptable.

Accept Umpires’ and Officials’ Decisions:

Traditionally cricket has been the sport to maintain and exhibit the highest levels of conduct and sportsmanship. Though it is a most competitive game, the continued strength of the sport has relied upon the acceptance of the Umpire’s decision and the preparedness to play within the “spirit of the game” – See MCC Laws.

Control Emotions:

Playing and participation in the game is for your enjoyment and the enjoyment of the other players and spectators. No verbal or equipment abuse will be tolerated.

Save Time:

When coming in to bat and between overs, avoid unnecessary conversation. Move back to your bowling mark and fielding positions without delay between deliveries. Pay attention to right-left batting combinations and anticipate changing your field positions accordingly. Play “ready-cricket”.

Respect Others:

Treat all players, spectators and property as you would like to be treated yourself. Encourage your team-mates and opposition in showing respect to the views of both sides.

CODE OF CONDUCT AND SPIRIT OF CRICKET

1 CRICKET BC is committed to maintaining the highest standards of behaviour and conduct. This Code of Conduct incorporates the Spirit of Cricket, as set out below. It applies to all matches played under the jurisdiction of CRICKET BC and shall be applied to any cricket related activity.

2 The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of Cricket as well as within the Laws (See MCC Laws of Cricket).

3 Players and team officials must at all times accept the umpire’s decision. Players must not show dissent at the umpire’s decision or react in a provocative or disapproving manner towards an umpire at any time.

4 Players and team officials shall not intimidate, assault, or attempt to intimidate or assault an umpire, another player or a spectator.

6 Players and team officials shall not make abusive comments nor indulge in abusive actions, based on gender, race or religion, against fellow players, officials, members and supporters.

7 Players and team officials shall not use or in any way be concerned in the use or distribution of performance enhancing and/or illegal substances.

8 Teams must take adequate steps to ensure the good behaviour of their members and supporters towards umpires, opposing players, and their supporters.

THE SPIRIT OF CRICKET

Cricket is a game that owes much of its unique appeal to the fact that it should be played not only within its Laws, but also within the Spirit of the Game. Any action which is seen to abuse this spirit causes injury to the game itself. The major responsibility for ensuring the spirit of fair play rests with the captains.

1.There are two Laws which place the responsibility for the team’s conduct firmly on the captain.

·Responsibility of captains

The captains are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the Spirit of the Game as well as within the Laws.

Player’s conduct

In the event that any player fails to comply with instructions by an umpire, or criticizes by word or action the decisions of an umpire, or shows dissent, or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire concerned shall in the first place report the matter to the other umpire and to the player’s captain, and instruct the latter to take action.

2. Fair and unfair play

According to the Laws the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play. The umpires may intervene at any time and it is the responsibility of the captain to take action where required.

3. The umpires are authorized to intervene in cases of:

• Time wasting

• Damaging the pitch

• Dangerous or unfair bowling

• Tampering with the ball

• Any other action that they consider to be unfair

4. The Spirit of the Game involves RESPECT for:

• Your opponents

• Your own captain and team

• The role of the umpires

• The game’s traditional values

5. It is against the Spirit of the Game:

• To dispute an umpire’s decision by word, action or gesture

• To direct abusive language towards an opponent or umpire

• To indulge in cheating or any sharp practice, for instance:

(a) to appeal knowing that the batsman is not out

(b) to advance towards an umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing

(c) to seek to distract an opponent either verbally or by harassment with persistent clapping or unnecessary noise under the guise of enthusiasm and motivation of one’s own side

6. Violence

There is no place for any act of violence on the field of play.

7. Players

Captains and umpires together set the tone for the conduct of a cricket match. Every player is expected to make an important contribution to this.

Application and Enforcement of the Code:

·The Code of Conduct will serve as a guide to the CRICKET BC disciplinary committee in dealing with infractions.

·The Code of Conduct is applicable to all the games played under the CRICKET BC banner and any other event under the jurisdiction or auspices of CRICKET BC.

·The disciplinary committee of CRICKET BC may in addition to, or as an alternative to any of the penalties, impose a period of probation not exceeding two years. Any subsequent offence committed while on probation will be dealt with more severely. A period of probation can be added to any level of offence and is entirely at the discretion of the disciplinary committee.

·Penalties can be in the form of suspension from games, fines or both. Maximum penalties are intended to be reserved for the worst instance of a breach of the Code or when dealing with repeat offenders.

·The period of suspension will be specified as a number of games (inclusive of life) depending on the nature and seriousness of the infraction. The suspension must be served in (or must apply to) the year in which the infraction occurred, and if not completed in a given season, must be carried over to the subsequent season(s).

·Suspension penalties include suspension from all CRICKET BC matches and all CRICKET BC representative matches, until the period of suspension is complete.

·Lack of knowledge of the existence of this document does not constitute an excuse for non-compliance.

·For players from other Provinces that are do not fall within the jurisdiction of Cricket BC, any penalties that may be imposed by the CRICKET BC disciplinary committee will be forwarded to their respective Provincial body as a recommendation of sanctions that may be applied for the relevant violation of this Code of Conduct.

OFFENCES AND PENALTIES (General Guidelines only)

Level 1 Penalty provision

Level 1 penalties will range from an official reprimand and/or a 1 game suspension.

Level 1 Offences

No.

Offence

General Explanation

1.1

Abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings

Includes actions outside the course of normal cricket actions such as hitting or kicking the wickets and actions which intentionally or negligently result in damage to advertising boards, boundary fences, or any part of, or contents of, any building or structure at the ground.

1.2

Show dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse

·Includes excessive, obvious disappointment with an umpire’s decision or with an umpire making the decision and obvious delay in resuming play or leaving the wicket.

·This Rule does not prohibit the bowler involved in the decision or a team captain from asking an umpire to provide an explanation for a decision, or the captain from commenting on the umpires’ performance in his Captain’s Report.

1.3

Use language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of an obscene gesture

·This includes swearing and offensive gestures which are not directed at another person such as swearing in frustration at one’s own poor play or fortune.

·The extent to which such behaviour is likely to give offence shall be taken into account when assessing the seriousness of the breach.

1.4

Engaging in excessive appealing

Excessive shall mean repeated appealing when the bowler/fielder knows the batsman is not out, with the intention of placing the umpire under pressure. It is not intended to prevent loud or enthusiastic appealing. However, the practice of celebrating or assuming a dismissal before the decision has been given, may also come within this Rule.

No.

Offence

General Explanation

1.5

Point or gesture towards the pavilion in an aggressive manner, or behave aggressively or derisively towards either batsman, upon the dismissal of a batsman

Includes charging or running up to the batsman and getting “in his face”.

1.6

Public criticism of, or inappropriate comment in relation to an incident occurring in a CRICKET BC match or about any Player, team, team official or match official, irrespective of when such inappropriate comment is made.

·Includes public criticism of Match officials or denigration of a player or team against which they have played in relation to incidents which occurred in a match.

·Includes comments made on a social media platform including, without limitation, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and LinkedIn.

Level 2 Penalty provision

Level 2 penalties will range from a 1 game suspension to a 3 game suspension.

Level 2 Offences

No.

Offence

General Explanation

2.1

Repeat of any Level 1 Offence within 12 months

Self explanatory

2.2

Show serious dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse

·Dissent should be classified as serious where the dissent is expressed by a specific action such as the shaking of the head, snatching cap from umpire, pointing at pad or inside edge, other displays of anger or abusive language directed at the umpire or excessive delay in resuming play or leaving the wicket.

·This Rule does not prohibit the bowler involved in the decision or a team captain from asking an umpire to provide an explanation for a decision, or the Captain commenting on the umpires’ performance in his Captain’s Report.

No.

Offence

General Explanation

2.3

Engage in inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with other players or officials in the course of play.

Without limitation, players will breach this regulation if they deliberately walk or run into or shoulder another player, official or match official.

2.4

Charge or advance towards the umpire in an aggressive manner when appealing

Self explanatory.

2.5

Deliberately and maliciously distract or obstruct another player or official on the field of play

·This does not replace Law 42 (4) and (5) of the Laws of Cricket.

·Without limitation, players will breach this rule if they deliberately attempt to distract a striker by words or gestures or deliberately shepherd a batsman while running or attempting to run between wickets.

2.6

Throw the ball at or near a player or official in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner

This Rule will not prohibit a fielder or bowler from returning the ball to the stumps in the normal fashion.

2.7

Use language that is obscene, offensive or of a seriously insulting nature to another player, match official, official or spectator

This refers to language or gestures which are directed at another person. See comments under Rule 1.3 above in relation to the seriousness of the breach.

2.8

Public criticism of, or inappropriate comment on a match related incident or match official.

This would include comments made by players or spectators before, during or after a match.

2.9

Change the condition of the ball in breach of Law 42.3

Prohibited behaviour includes picking the seam or deliberately throwing the ball into ground for the purpose of roughening it up and the application of moisture to the ball, save for perspiration and saliva.

2.10

Attempt to manipulate a match in regard to the result, net run rate, performance points or otherwise. The captain of any team guilty of such conduct shall be held responsible.

Prohibited conduct under this rule will include incidents where a team bats in such a way as to either adversely affect its own, or improve its opponent’s performance points or net run rate.

Level 3 Penalty provision

Penalties for Level 3 offences will range from a 3 game suspension to an 8 game suspension

Level 3 Offences

No.

Offence

General Explanation

3.1

Repeat of any Level 2 Offence within 12 months.

Self explanatory.

3.2

Intimidate an umpire or referee, whether by language or conduct

Includes appealing in an aggressive or threatening manner.

3.3

Threaten to assault another player, team official or spectator

Self explanatory.

3.4

Use language or gestures that offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate, threaten, disparage or vilify another person on the basis of that person’s gender, race, religion, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin

Self explanatory.

3.5

Any disorderly conduct or inappropriate behavior at an event under the jurisdiction or auspices of the CRICKET BC.

Self explanatory.

Level 4 Penalty provision

Penalties for Level 4 Offences will range from a 6 game suspension to a life ban

Level 4 Offences

4.1

Repeat of any Level 3 Offence within 12 months.

Self explanatory.

4.2

Threaten to assault an umpire or referee.

Self explanatory.

4.3

Physically assault another player, umpire, referee, official or spectator.

Self explanatory.

4.4

Engage in any act of violence on the field of play.

Self explanatory.

4.5

Use language or gestures that seriously offends, insults, humiliates, intimidates, threatens, disparages or vilifies another person on the basis of that person’s gender, race, religion, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin

Self explanatory.

4.6

Engage in any act of physical violence at an event under the jurisdiction or auspices of the CRICKET BC.

Self explanatory.

DEFINITIONS: The ‘course of play’ & ‘match’ shall include preparation before play, after play & at the field/park location. ‘Match officials’ shall include umpires & scorers. ‘Event’ shall include meetings & functions.

APPLICATION OF PENALTIES

The penalties shall apply for all formats of the game – the number of games referred above are 50 over games. One (1) regular season game shall be the equivalent of two (2) T20 games.

The above penalties are provided as a general guideline. Depending on the circumstances of each infraction, the Disciplinary Committee may impose penalties that are in variance with the above guidelines.